Thursday, April 30, 2009

Marinated Chicken


"Whenever I serve this to family and friends, which is quite often, I'm bound to be asked for the recipe. It's a fast and tasty meal that I'm happy to share with others."

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

    DIRECTIONS

  • Combine the first five ingredients; spread on both sides of chicken. Place chicken on plate. Marinate at room temperature for 10-15 minutes or for several hours in the refrigerator. Grill, uncovered, over medium coals, turning once, for 10-15 minutes or until juices run clear.

FOOTNOTE

Diabetic Exchanges: One serving equals 3 lean meat; also, 161 calories, 287 mg sodium, 73 mg cholesterol, 2 gm carbohydrate, 28 gm protein, 4 gm fat.

15-Minute Vanilla Rice Pudding


"Ready in minutes, thick and creamy vanilla rice pudding is a treat all ages enjoy."



INGREDIENTS

  • 3 cups milk, divided
  • 1 cup instant white rice, uncooked
  • 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
  • 1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling

    DIRECTIONS

  • Bring 1 cup of the milk to boil in medium saucepan. Stir in rice and raisins; cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare pudding as directed on package with remaining 2 cups milk.
  • Add rice mixture to prepared pudding; stir. Cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap; cool 5 minutes. Stir. Serve warm or chilled.

15-Minute Dinner Nachos Supreme


"Taco-seasoned ground beef simmered with tomato and rice is topped with salsa, cheese and lettuce for a tortilla chip-dipping meal."

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 (1.12 ounce) package Pace® Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
  • Pace® Thick & Chunky Salsa
  • Shredded Cheddar cheese
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Tortilla chips

    DIRECTIONS

  • Cook beef and taco seasoning in skillet until browned. Pour off fat.
  • Add soup, water and rice. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 5 min. or until done.
  • Top with salsa, cheese and lettuce. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.

World's Best Lasagna


"It takes a little work, but it is worth it."

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
  • 3/4 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 16 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

    DIRECTIONS

  • In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

A Southern Fried Chicken


"A cut-up chicken dredged in buttermilk and seasoned flour, then deep fried to perfection."

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 cups buttermilk
  • 1 cup barbeque sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon steak sauce
  • 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
  • 2 cups oil for frying

    DIRECTIONS

  • In a large shallow dish, mix together flour, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, then whisk in buttermilk, barbeque sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and steak sauce.
  • Dredge chicken in milk mixture, then in seasoned flour, alternating in each at least twice. Heat oil in a large, deep-sided skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Cook chicken in hot oil until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes each side.

A Good Easy Garlic Chicken

"Sprinkle chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder and seasoning salt - then sautee and enjoy. Couldn't be easier! Great recipe for quick and easy meal, even for the pickiest eater!"

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

    DIRECTIONS

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with garlic powder, seasoning salt and onion powder. Saute about 10 to 15 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad


"Everyone I have made this for RAVES about it! It's different and so easy to make!"

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
  • 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons minced onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

    DIRECTIONS

  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
  • In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil. Toss with spinach just before serving.

Strawberry Pie

"This is my favorite pie. It is very easy to make. I got the recipe many years ago in North Jersey. It is from the Sussex County Strawberry Farms."

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
  • 1 quart fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

  1. Arrange half of strawberries in baked pastry shell. Mash remaining berries and combine with sugar in a medium saucepan. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into boiling strawberry mixture. Reduce heat and simmer mixture until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour mixture over berries in pastry shell. Chill for several hours before serving. In a small bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Serve each slice of pie with a dollop of whipped cream.

Mom's Baked Macaroni and Cheese


"Quick and easy -- macaroni, cheese soup, milk and Colby cheese!"

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 pound shredded Colby cheese

    DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • Place macaroni in a 2 quart casserole dish. Stir in cheese soup and milk until well combined. Sprinkle with shredded Colby.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheese is brown and bubbly.

Special Deviled Eggs


"Horseradish sauce and sweet relish sets these deviled eggs apart from the rest!"

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 eggs
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
  • 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
  • paprika, for garnish
  • salt and pepper to taste

    DIRECTIONS

  • Place eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and cut lengthwise.
  • Remove yolks from eggs. In a medium bowl, mash the yolks and mix together with mayonnaise, onion, sweet pickle relish, horseradish and mustard.
  • With a fork or pastry bag, fill the egg halves with the yolk mixture. Garnish with paprika, salt and pepper. Chill until serving.

Mexican Style Dip

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
  • 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1/4 cup chopped jalapeno pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican-style cheese

    DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 9 inch pie plate with vegetable oil spray.
  • Press cream cheese evenly onto the bottom of the pie plate.
  • In a large skillet, brown the hamburger. Drain excess fat. Mix in the taco seasoning and water. Cook and stir 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat before mixing in salsa and jalapenos. Pour the beef mixture over the cream cheese in the pie plate. Sprinkle the Mexican-style cheese over the entire dish.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until the cheese has melted.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

How to Make a Chocolate Cake

Are you looking to make a delicious chocolate cake? There are so many variations, it might be difficult to choose a single recipe. Here's a simple one to get you started, along with several variations to suit the occasion.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup water/milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • chocolate chips (optional)


Steps

  1. beat butter till soft then add sugar and mix . Then when done add eggs by portions.
  2. Sift the dry ingredients together (flour, salt, baking soda and cocoa).
  3. Stir in the liquid ingredients (vanilla, water and milk).
  4. Pour the mixture into an 8 inch greased and floured round pan.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 or 40 minutes.
  6. Let the cake cool.
  7. Frost as desired.(frosting, icing)
  8. For an optional garnish, sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the cake.


Variations


How to Make Cake Mix Cookies



Make easy cookies with the kids by using a packet of cake mix and turning it into cookies instead of cakes. Here are some simple tips on how to go about this.






Ingredients


* 1 box of your favorite regular cake mix (for example vanilla, butter cream, lemon, orange, chocolate, and butter pecan etc.)
* 2 eggs
* 1/2 cup Vegetable oil
* 1 tsp. vanilla (optional)

Steps

1. Purchase your favorite cake mix. Choose the flavor you like the most.
2. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare cookie sheets by spraying with non-stick spray or lining with baking paper.
3. Combine cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, (and if you used an unflavored cake mix like yellow or white then add 1 tsp. of vanilla) in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly with a large spoon.
4. Spoon teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto cookie sheets into small cookie shapes (a dozen per sheet).
5. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
6. Let cool and then take off cookie sheet. Place onto a wire rack to cool a bit more and to harden a little.
7. Enjoy some cake cookies.


Tips

* You can drizzle some icing over the top. Try heating the icing container for a few seconds (10-15 seems to do nicely).


Warnings

* Watch them closely - They can burn very easily.
* Oven is hot! If making with children, supervise oven use.